Cold Weather affects Garage Door Openers

OK, with the cold weather coming on, and you have already lubricated your garage door, its now time to take care of the garage door opener. The garage door opener can give you a fit in the colder weather. What it will do is, usually go up without any problems, but, when you push the button to let it down, it will only go down a few inches, or maybe even a foot, and then go right back up. You try this several times and, finally it goes to the floor. Now you are running late for work...and are ready to drive through the garage door.

Usually, it is the sensitivity (force adjustment) that needs to be turned up a little. Now, that being said...don't turn the sucker up all the way!!. If the down force dial is on number five, just turn it to maybe five and a half, or maybe six. The down force tells the garage opener how much force to use to close or open the door. If turned up to far, it can possibly crush whatever is under the door. Also, the photo eyes, or sensor eyes, attached to the track that the rollers run on, should be no higher than six inches off of the floor. It is that way to prevent the door from coming down on a child or and animal. Note: The photo eyes, and reversing system should be checked monthly!!) The few minutes you spend checking this will certainly be worth it. This applies to all makes of garage door openers.

A problem that is usually associated with screw drive openers, is the grease that is in the rail that the screw turns in, gets stiff in the cold weather. You have to spray a silicone lubricant on the screw and run the garage door up and down a few times to loosen it up. Normally its the coldest day of the year, and when you are in the biggest rush, that the garage door will act up. :-)
Hope all this helps, and, if you have any questions or problems, i will be glad to try to answer them. Til next time.. Joe :-)

Garage Door Lubrication

Now is the time to lubricate your Garage door. It is the largest moving part in your home and yet it usually gets the least amount of attention. With the winter months coming on and the rain that usually comes with the winter months, the garage door rollers and springs will start to rust.

The best lubrication to use on your garage door is a silicone based spray, or a white lithium spray. White lithium spray usually stays on the rollers and springs longer than silicone based sprays. Don't use axle-type grease!! It holds dirt and acts like sandpaper on the springs! Don't touch the springs with your hands!! Also, don't attempt to adjust the springs. Serious injury or death can occur.!!

Most people aren't aware that they are supposed to lubricate the springs located above the garage door. When i tell them, they say, "Oh, i didn't know that; I just spray the little rollers in the track." The "little rollers" only cost a few dollars (not counting labor) but the springs can cost several hundred dollars. Til next time...Feel free to ask me questions or leave comments..... Joe